A Christmas Carol Tickets

This Christmas attention is bound to fall upon the Arts Theatre as it gets with the seasonal spirit and presents a new production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and in doing so also welcomes Simon Callow, who takes on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge. The show will see Callow re-team with his “Being Shakespeare” director Tom Cairns (also responsible for “Phaedra” at the Donmar Warehouse and “All About My Mother” at the Old Vic Theatre) and marks the latest occasion in which Scrooge arrives in the West End following last year’s production at the Trafalgar Studios.

The plot is a famous one and takes us back to 19th century London, early on in the Victoria era, as we meet the iconic character of Ebenezer Scrooge, the cruel and miserable man who forces his employees to work on Christmas Day and utters the phrase “Bah! Humbug!” But this is challenged on the night before Christmas as he is visited by a series of ghosts – including his former business partner Jacob Marley – and shown his past, present and future. Time will tell if the experience will allow him to see the error of his ways.

The original novella on which the play is based is a famous one that has won over audiences since it was published in 1843. Not only did it enjoy huge success at the time of its release – from audiences and critics alike – it also went on to have one of the biggest legacies of any book around. It popularised the phrase “Merry Christmas” and ensured that the character of Ebenezer Scrooge would remain a part of popular culture for the next century and beyond. It has since been adapted for television, film and the stage on countless occasions and won new admirers every step of the way.

And this will be no different when Simon Callow steps into the role, following his recent appearance in “Being Shakespeare” at Trafalgar Studios 1 and previous roles in movies like “Four Weddings and a Funeral”. He will ensure that the production stands out amongst other Christmas shows like “The Snowman” and “Christmas with the Rat Pack”.

“A Christmas Carol” begins its run at the Arts Theatre on Saturday 10th December 2011 (with previews from Thursday 8th December 2011) and continues to Saturday 14th January 2012.)